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Function Inspector PRO – Fantastic Plotter, Fantastic UI

Jay O.2011-10-19T21:56:01ZOct 19, 2011

Jay O.

2

Have you seen a few Texas Instruments or Casio calculator-look-a-likes floating around on the Market? I have, and I can’t say that I’m a fan—they’re too squashed looking andand clumsy to use. Function Inspector PRO on the other hand has a great, cleaned up UI that’s functional to boot. But is it really all that and a bag of chips? Find out in today’s review.

4★★★★☆

Rating

Features & Use

Test device: LG Optimus Speed / 2x
Android version: 2.3.4
Mods: Root

Function Inspector PRO comes with a lot of useful functions. It impressed me right off the bat: rather than use the standard Android keyboard, there’s an option for using a mathematical input method, meaning you don’t have to go back and forth between the letters and numbers keyboards.
There’s sine, cosine, logarithms, as well as more advanced functions such as hyperbolic Arcus tangent. There’s an option for saving your most used function equations; once one or more functional equation has been entered, they appear as a graph, in different colours so that they’re easy to spot.
You can zoom within the graphs using pinch-to-zoom or the zoom buttons. Hit the ‘+’ button at the bottom left to get back to the beginning of the function.
When you enter a functional equation with the parameters (a, b, c), you can change said parameters dynamically in order to see what the effect on other parameters within the graph will be.

The app can also be used to display the nought position, peaks, inflexion points, discontinuities and intersections of graphs. Hit any of these in order to see their coordinates.

There are two other modes for the graph: Trace and Slope. Trace displays all coordinates; simply swipe your finger across the different parts of the graph. You can also establish a functional characteristic, of which you wish to work out the functional value.
A table of values can also be displayed; simply set an initial and a final value, as well as the interval.
In order to move the graph, use two fingers to swipe across the screen.

Using the Slope mode you can assess and display the gradient of any point., as well as its tangents. Again, it is posible to set up a table of values, as well as set a functional value of which you want to work out the function's gradient.

If you’re not a huge fan of the dark look of the app (literally, not atmospherically), you can change it in the settings. There’s also a full screen mode which is great for people who have small screened devices but want to be able to see a lot of the graphs.

One final and very useful function: screenshots! You can take screenshots of your graphs and equations and save them, which is super useful, especially if you have to explain something to someone.

Bottom line:Function Inspector PRO is a useful tool, especially – I’m guessing – for students. Whether you need to double check your calculations or want to check out what effects certain changes would have on a function–Function Inspector PRO won’t let you down.
It has all the same functions and features as a calculator, but it’s a lot easier to use.

Screen & Controls

As mentioned, Function Inspector PRO is very easy and intuitive to use. The UI is user friendly and the functions are well sorted, meaning that you can find them without any hassle.
My honest, humble opinion: the UI is gosh-darn-near perfect.

Speed & Stability

Function Inspector PRO works brilliantly—it calculations functional graphs very fast and efficiently. The overall performance was excellent. Hats off to the young developer!

Price/Performance Ratio

Function Inspector PRO is available for 1,49 €–a fair price for such a useful, well-functioning application that will help you save time if you do a lot of work that requires suing a calculator.